Australia Cuts Fuel Tax by 50%, Prices Drop Rp 3,000 per Litre

CANBERRA, KOMPAS.com – The Australian government has officially cut the fuel excise tax by 50% for three months as a response to the surge in global energy prices triggered by geopolitical conflicts. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that this decision was taken following a series of high-level meetings, including the National Security Committee and the cabinet. “I have held a National Security Committee meeting, a Cabinet meeting, and a National Cabinet meeting, and while Australia’s fuel supply prospects remain secure in the short term, we must be very clear to the Australian people that the longer this war goes on, the greater the negative impacts will be,” Albanese said, quoted from a broadcast on ABC Australia’s YouTube channel on Monday (30/3/2026). “We are acting now to do more than just prepare, but to protect the Australian people from the worst impacts, and today we have three announcements,” he added. Albanese outlined the three main steps taken by the government in responding to the energy crisis. First, the government has adopted the National Fuel Security Plan, which has been agreed upon with state and territory governments. Australia is currently at level two. Second, the government is halving the fuel excise for petrol and diesel for three months. This policy is estimated to lower fuel prices by 26.3 Australian cents per litre, equivalent to around Rp 3,069.44 per litre (assuming an exchange rate of Rp 11,670 per Australian dollar). “We are cutting the fuel excise to help suppress the cost of living for the community,” Albanese said. Third, the government is temporarily eliminating road user charges for heavy vehicles for three months and deferring the next tariff increase for six months. This step is aimed at helping the logistics sector, which is facing cash flow pressures. This fuel tax cut is estimated to provide savings of around 16 Australian dollars for filling a 60-litre tank. That amount is equivalent to approximately Rp 186,734.24.